Mobile device comprising stylus pen and operation method therefor

ABSTRACT

A mobile device includes a sensing unit configured to determine whether the stylus pen is separated from the mobile device; a communication unit configured to receive a control signal including a first control signal and a second control signal from the stylus pen separated from the mobile device; and a controller configured to operate in a first control mode for performing an operation of an application being executed on the mobile device. The controller performs a first operation of the application in response to the first control signal, and performs a second operation of the application in response to the second control signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/520,119 filedApr. 19, 2017, which is a National Stage Entry of InternationalApplication No. PCT/KR2015/010429 filed Oct. 2, 2015, which claimspriority based on Chinese Patent Application Nos. 201410567542.7 filedon Oct. 22, 2014 and 201410823126.9 filed on Dec. 25, 2014, and claimspriority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0112723 filed onAug. 10, 2015. The contents of the above-named applications areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mobile device including a stylus pen,and a method of operating the mobile device and, more particularly, to adevice and method capable of controlling operation of a mobile device byusing a stylus pen.

BACKGROUND ART

A mobile device is a portable device having at least one of a voice andvideo call function, a data input or output function, a data storagefunction, etc.

As functions of the mobile device diversify, the mobile device now hascomplex functions such as image capturing, video recording, music orvideo playing, game playing, broadcast reception, and wireless datacommunication (e.g., the Internet) functions. In addition, for userconvenience, a mobile device whose operation is capable of beingcontrolled by using a stylus pen has been introduced.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

The present invention provides a mobile device capable of remotelycontrolling an application being executed on the mobile device, by usinga stylus pen, and a method of operating the mobile device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a mobile device including a stylus pen,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a mobile device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a mobile device according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a stylus pen according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing an example in which a cameraapplication is remotely controlled using the stylus pen, according to anembodiment.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams showing an example in which an alarm clockapplication is remotely controlled using the stylus pen, according to anembodiment.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing an example in which a video playerapplication is remotely controlled using the stylus pen, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which a communication channelis generated between the mobile device and the stylus pen when thestylus pen is separated from the mobile device, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which the mobile deviceoperates in a second control mode based on a user input, according to anembodiment.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams for describing a second control mode.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example in which a first control mode ischanged to a second control mode when the stylus pen is in proximity tothe mobile device, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example in which a controller changes anoperation mode of the mobile device from a first control mode to asecond control mode when the stylus pen is inserted into a slot,according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example in which a displaydisplays an icon indicating a first control mode, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example in which the mobile deviceoperates in a first control mode, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example in which an application beingexecuted on the mobile device is terminated and a first control mode isterminated, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a method of operating the mobile device,according to an embodiment.

BEST MODE

According to an aspect of an embodiment, a mobile device including astylus pen includes a sensing unit configured to determine whether thestylus pen is separated from the mobile device, a communication unitconfigured to receive a control signal from the stylus pen separatedfrom the mobile device, and a controller configured to operate in afirst control mode for performing at least one operation of anapplication being executed on the mobile device, in response to thecontrol signal.

The control signal may include a first control signal and a secondcontrol signal, and the controller may perform a first operation of theapplication in response to the first control signal, and perform asecond operation of the application in response to the second controlsignal.

The first control signal may be a signal corresponding to an input ofsingle-clicking a button included in the stylus pen, and the secondcontrol signal may be a signal corresponding to an input ofdouble-clicking the button.

The first control signal may be a signal corresponding to a first usermotion detected by a motion sensor included in the stylus pen, and thesecond control signal may be a signal corresponding to a second usermotion detected by the motion sensor.

The application may be a camera application having an image capturingfunction, the first operation may be a zoom-in operation of the cameraapplication, and the second operation may be an image capturingoperation.

The application being executed on the mobile device may be an alarmclock application having an alarm clock function, the first operationmay be an operation of turning off a ringing alarm, and the secondoperation may be an operation of setting a new alarm.

The application may be an application having a video player function,the first operation may be an operation of pausing a currently playingvideo, and the second operation may be an operation of playing a videosubsequent to the currently playing video on a playlist.

The controller may operate in a second control mode for performing atleast one operation of the application, based on an input of touching atouchscreen with the stylus pen.

The mobile device may further include a user input unit configured toreceive a user input of selecting the first control mode or the secondcontrol mode.

The sensing unit may detect whether the stylus pen is in proximity tothe mobile device, and the controller may change from the first controlmode to the second control mode if the stylus pen is in proximity to themobile device.

The communication unit may control to generate a communication channelbetween the mobile device and the stylus pen if the stylus pen isseparated from the mobile device, and receive the control signal on thecommunication channel.

The sensing unit may detect whether the stylus pen is inserted into themobile device, and the controller may terminate the communicationchannel generated between the mobile device and the stylus pen andchange from the first control mode to the second control mode if thestylus pen is inserted into the mobile device.

The controller may change from the first control mode to the secondcontrol mode if execution of the application is terminated.

The mobile device may further include a display configured to display anicon indicating the first control mode, if the controller is operatingin the first control mode.

According to an aspect of another embodiment, a method of operating amobile device including a stylus pen includes determining whether thestylus pen is separated from the mobile device, receiving a controlsignal from the stylus pen separated from the mobile device, andoperating in a first control mode for performing at least one operationof an application being executed on the mobile device, in response tothe control signal.

The control signal may include a first control signal and a secondcontrol signal, and the operating in the first control mode may includeperforming a first operation of the application in response to the firstcontrol signal, and performing a second operation of the application inresponse to the second control signal.

The first control signal may be a signal corresponding to an input ofsingle-clicking a button included in the stylus pen, and the secondcontrol signal may be a signal corresponding to an input ofdouble-clicking the button.

The application may be a camera application having an image capturingfunction, the first operation may be a zoom-in operation of the cameraapplication, and the second operation may be an image capturingoperation.

The application may be an alarm clock application having an alarm clockfunction, the first operation may be an operation of turning off aringing alarm, and the second operation may be an operation of setting anew alarm.

The application may be an application having a video player function,the first operation may be an operation of pausing a currently playingvideo, and the second operation may be an operation of playing a videosubsequent to the currently playing video on a playlist.

The method may further include operating in a second control mode forperforming at least one operation of the application, based on an inputof touching a touchscreen with the stylus pen.

The method may further include receiving a user input of selecting thefirst control mode or the second control mode.

The method may further include detecting whether the stylus pen is inproximity to the mobile device, and changing from the first control modeto the second control mode if the stylus pen is in proximity to themobile device.

The method may further include controlling to generate a communicationchannel between the mobile device and the stylus pen if the stylus penis separated from the mobile device, and receiving the control signal onthe communication channel.

The method may further include detecting whether the stylus pen isinserted into the mobile device, and terminating the communicationchannel generated between the mobile device and the stylus pen andchanging from the first control mode to the second control mode if thestylus pen is inserted into the mobile device.

The method may further include changing from the first control mode tothe second control mode if execution of the application is terminated.

The method may further include displaying an icon indicating the firstcontrol mode, if the controller is operating in the first control mode.

MODE OF THE INVENTION

Terms used in this specification are now briefly described beforedescribing the present invention.

Although most terms used in this specification are selected amongcurrently popular general terms in consideration of functionsimplemented in the present invention, some terms are used based on theintentions of those of ordinary skill in the art, precedents, emergenceof new technologies, or the like. Specific terms may be arbitrarilyselected by the applicant and, in this case, the meanings thereof willbe described in the detailed description of the invention. Thus, theterms used herein should be defined based on practical meanings thereofand the whole content of this specification, rather than based on namesof the terms.

It will be understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”,“includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence ofstated elements, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one ormore other elements. The suffix such as “ . . . er”, “unit”, or “module”is used to denote an entity for performing at least one function oroperation, and may be embodied in the form of hardware, software, or acombination thereof.

Throughout the specification, the term “touch input” denotes a gestureof a user which is made on a touchscreen to control a mobile device.

The term “stylus pen” denotes a pen-shaped tool which is used to controla mobile device. For example, a user may control a mobile device bydirectly tapping or dragging a stylus pen on a touchscreen, or byclicking a button included in the stylus pen.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail byexplaining embodiments of the invention with reference to the attacheddrawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodimentsset forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that thisdisclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey theconcept of the invention to one of ordinary skill in the art. In thedrawings, elements irrespective of descriptions of the present inventionare not illustrated, and like reference numerals denote like elements.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a mobile device 100 including a stylus pen200, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the mobile device 100 may include a touchscreen 101and the stylus pen 200. The mobile device 100 may further include a slot102 for inserting the stylus pen 200 thereinto. The mobile device 100and the elements thereof will now be described in detail.

The mobile device 100 may be configured as one of various electronicdevices including the touchscreen 101, e.g., a mobile phone, asmartphone, a tablet personal computer (PC), a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), or a digitalcamera, but is not limited thereto.

The stylus pen 200 may include a button 201 which is clickable. A usermay control the mobile device 100 by clicking the button 201 of thestylus pen 200 in various manners. For example, the button 201 may besingle-clicked, double-clicked, or long-clicked, but is not limitedthereto.

The stylus pen 200 may receive an input of clicking the button 201. Thestylus pen 200 may transmit a control signal corresponding to thereceived input, to the mobile device 100. The stylus pen 200 maytransmit the control signal to the mobile device 100 by using acommunication channel generated between the stylus pen 200 and themobile device 100.

The stylus pen 200 may further include a motion sensor capable ofdetecting motion of the user. Herein, the motion sensor may include atleast one of a magnetic sensor, a position sensor, an accelerationsensor, a gyroscope sensor, and a proximity sensor, but is not limitedthereto.

When the stylus pen 200 includes a motion sensor, the user may express acertain motion by using the stylus pen 200. Then, the motion sensor ofthe stylus pen 200 may detect the motion of the user, and the mobiledevice 100 may be controlled based on a signal corresponding to thedetected motion of the user. For example, when a camera application isbeing executed on the mobile device 100, the camera application mayperform a zoom-in operation based on a user motion of drawing a circleby using the stylus pen 200.

Herein, the stylus pen 200 may transmit a control signal to the mobiledevice 100 by using short-range wireless communication, e.g., Bluetoothcommunication or infrared communication.

If the mobile device 100 receives a user input of tapping or draggingthe touchscreen 101, the stylus pen 200 may generate a control signalcorresponding to the received user input.

The stylus pen 200 may include a battery. If the stylus pen 200 isinserted into the slot 102 of the mobile device 100, the battery of thestylus pen 200 may be connected to a power supply circuit included inthe mobile device 100 and thus may be charged.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a mobile device 100 a according to anembodiment. The mobile device 100 a of FIG. 2 may be an embodiment ofthe mobile device 100 of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, the mobile device 100 a may include a sensing unit110, a communication unit 120, and a controller 130.

The sensing unit 110 according to the current embodiment may detectwhether the stylus pen 200 is separated from the mobile device 100 a,and transmit the detected signal to the controller 130. For example, thesensing unit 110 may detect whether the stylus pen 200 is separated fromthe mobile device 100 a, by determining whether the battery of thestylus pen 200 is being charged. The sensing unit 110 may determinewhether the battery of the stylus pen 200 is being charged, by detectingwhether a power supply circuit included in the mobile device 100 a isconnected to the battery of the stylus pen 200.

The sensing unit 110 may periodically monitor whether the stylus pen 200is separated, by conducting a poll in a certain cycle or transmitting anotification message to the controller 130 when an insertion status ofthe stylus pen 200 is changed. Herein, the controller 130 may set thecycle of conducting a poll to a fixed value or a value variable by auser. The scheme of conducting a poll or transmitting a notificationmessage is well-known to one of ordinary skill in the art, and thus adetailed description thereof is not provided herein.

The communication unit 120 according to the current embodiment mayinclude one or more elements for performing communication between themobile device 100 a and the stylus pen 200 or communication with anexternal device.

If the stylus pen 200 is separated from the mobile device 100 a, thecommunication unit 120 may generate a communication channel between themobile device 100 a and the stylus pen 200.

In addition, the communication unit 120 may receive a control signalfrom the stylus pen 200 separated from the mobile device 100 a, on thegenerated communication channel. Specifically, the communication unit120 may receive the control signal from the stylus pen 200 by using, forexample, Bluetooth communication or infrared communication. However, thecommunication scheme is not limited thereto.

The controller 130 according to the current embodiment may operate in afirst control mode for performing at least one operation of anapplication being executed on the mobile device 100 a, in response tothe control signal received from the stylus pen 200.

The first control mode may be a mode capable of remotely controlling theapplication being executed on the mobile device 100 a, by using thebutton 201 included in the stylus pen 200. Specifically, the user mayremotely control the application by clicking the button 201 of thestylus pen 200 in various manners. Herein, the button 201 may besingle-clicked, double-clicked, or long-clicked, but is not limitedthereto.

The first control mode may be a mode capable of remotely controlling theapplication being executed on the mobile device 100 a, by using a motionsensor included in the stylus pen 200.

Specifically, the user may express various motions by using the styluspen 200. For example, the user may express a motion of drawing a circleor a straight line by using the stylus pen 200. The motion sensorincluded in the stylus pen 200 may detect the motion of the user, andthe mobile device 100 may be controlled based on a signal correspondingto the detected motion of the user. For example, when a cameraapplication is being executed on the mobile device 100 a, a zoom-inoperation may be performed based on a user motion of drawing a circle,or an image capturing operation may be performed based on a user motionof drawing a straight line. Herein, an operation of the mobile device100 a, which is performed based on a specific motion of the user, may bechanged based on user settings, and is not limited to theabove-described example.

The controller 130 may operate in a second control mode for performingat least one operation of the application based on a user input oftouching the touchscreen 101 of the mobile device 100 a with a finger ofthe user or the stylus pen 200.

The controller 130 may operate in one of the first control mode and thesecond control mode based on a user input.

If the stylus pen 200 is in proximity to the mobile device 100 a whenthe controller 130 operates in the first control mode, the controller130 may change an operation mode of the mobile device 100 a from thefirst control mode to the second control mode.

If the stylus pen 200 is inserted into the mobile device 100 a when thecontroller 130 operates in the first control mode, the controller 130may change the operation mode of the mobile device 100 a from the firstcontrol mode to the second control mode.

If execution of the application is terminated when the controller 130operates in the first control mode, the controller 130 may change theoperation mode of the mobile device 100 a from the first control mode tothe second control mode.

If the stylus pen 200 is separated from the mobile device 100 a afterthe application is executed, the controller 130 may operate in the firstcontrol mode. When the application is executed, the mobile device 100 amay display a message for asking whether to operate in the first controlmode.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a mobile device 100 b according to anotherembodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the mobile device 100 b according to thecurrent embodiment may include the sensing unit 110, the communicationunit 120, the controller 130, a user input unit 140, a display 150, anaudio/video (A/V) input unit 160, and a storage 170.

The elements of the mobile device 100 b will now be described one byone. The descriptions of the sensing unit 110, the communication unit120, and the controller 130, which are given above in relation to FIG.2, are not provided in FIG. 3.

The sensing unit 110 may detect a status or a peripheral status of themobile device 100 b and transmit the detected information to thecontroller 130.

The sensing unit 110 may include at least one of a magnetic sensor 111,an acceleration sensor 112, a temperature/humidity sensor 113, aninfrared sensor 114, a gyroscope sensor 115, a position sensor (e.g., aglobal positioning system (GPS)) 116, a barometric pressure sensor 117,a proximity sensor 118, and an RGB sensor (or an illuminance sensor)119, but is not limited thereto. Functions of the sensors may beintuitively inferred from their names by one of ordinary skill in theart, and thus detailed descriptions thereof are not provided herein.

The sensing unit 110 may detect motion of the mobile device 100 b, abiological signal of a user of the mobile device 100 b, and a touchsignal input to the mobile device 100 b.

The communication unit 120 may include one or more elements forperforming communication between the mobile device 100 b and the styluspen 200 or communication with an external device. For example, thecommunication unit 120 may include a short-range wireless communicationunit 121, a mobile communication unit 122, and a broadcast receptionunit 123.

The short-range wireless communication unit 121 may include a Bluetoothcommunication unit, a near field communication (NFC) unit, a wirelesslocal area network (WLAN) (or Wi-Fi) communication unit, a Zigbeecommunication unit, an Infrared Data Association (IrDA) communicationunit, a Wi-Fi direct (WFD) communication unit, an ultra-wideband (UWB)communication unit, and an Ant+ communication unit, but is not limitedthereto.

The mobile communication unit 122 transmits and receives wirelesssignals to and from at least one of a base station, an external device,and a server in a mobile communication network. Herein, the wirelesssignals may include various types of data based on transmission orreception of a voice call signal, a video call signal, or atext/multimedia message.

The broadcast reception unit 123 receives broadcast signals and/orbroadcast information on broadcast channels. The broadcast channels mayinclude satellite channels and terrestrial channels. According toanother embodiment, the mobile device 100 b may not include thebroadcast reception unit 123.

The controller 130 controls overall operations of the mobile device 100b. For example, the controller 130 may control the sensing unit 110, thecommunication unit 120, an output unit 151, the user input unit 140, theA/V input unit 160, and the memory 170 by executing programs stored inthe storage 170.

The output unit 151 is used to output audio signals, video signals, orvibration signals, and may include the display 150, a sound output unit152, and a vibration motor 153.

The display 150 displays information processed by the mobile device 100b. For example, when the mobile device 100 b operates in a first controlmode, the display 150 may display an icon indicating the first controlmode. Specifically, when the mobile device 100 b operates in the firstcontrol mode, the display 150 may highlight the icon indicating thefirst control mode, on the touchscreen 101.

In addition, the display 150 may display a pop-up menu for allowing theuser to determine whether to operate the mobile device 100 b in thefirst control mode.

When the display 150 and a touchpad are layered to configure atouchscreen, the display 150 may be used as an input device as well asan output device. The display 150 may include at least one of a liquidcrystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display(TFT-LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, athree-dimensional (3D) display, and an electrophoretic display.

The sound output unit 152 outputs audio data received from thecommunication unit 120 or stored in the memory 170. In addition, thesound output unit 152 outputs sound signals related to functionsperformed by the mobile device 100 b (e.g., call signal reception sound,message reception sound, and notification sound). The sound output unit152 may include a speaker or a buzzer.

The vibration motor 153 may output vibration signals. For example, thevibration motor 153 may output vibration signals corresponding to outputof video data or audio data (e.g., call signal reception sound andmessage reception sound). In addition, the vibration motor 153 mayoutput vibration signals when touches are input to the touchscreen.

The user input unit 140 refers to an element used when the user inputsdata to control the mobile device 100 b. For example, the user inputunit 140 may include a keypad, a dome switch, a touchpad (e.g., acapacitive overlay type, a resistive overlay type, an infrared beamtype, a surface acoustic wave type, an integral strain gauge type, apiezoelectric type), a jog wheel, or a jog switch, but is not limitedthereto.

The user input unit 140 may receive a user input of selecting one of thefirst control mode and a second control mode. The mobile device 100 bincluding the touchscreen 101 may receive the user input on thetouchscreen 101. For example, when an application is executed on themobile device 100 b, the user may touch the touchscreen 101 with afinger or the stylus pen 200 to select the first control mode or thesecond control mode. The mobile device 100 b may be set to automaticallyoperate in the first control mode if the stylus pen 200 is separatedfrom the mobile device 100 b, or the user may select the operation modein a pop-up menu displayed on the touchscreen 101.

The A/V input unit 160 is used to input audio signals or video signals,and may include a camera 161 and a microphone 162. The camera 161 mayobtain image frames such as still images or video images by using animage sensor in a video call mode or an image capturing mode. The imagescaptured by the image sensor may be processed by the controller 130 oran image processor (not shown).

The image frames processed by the camera 161 may be stored in thestorage 170 or transmitted to an external device via the communicationunit 120. Two or more cameras 161 may be provided depending on theconfiguration of the mobile device 100 b.

The microphone 162 receives an external sound signal and processes thesame into electrical voice data. For example, the microphone 162 mayreceive the sound signal from an external device or the user. Themicrophone 162 may use various noise reduction algorithms to reducenoise caused when the external sound signal is received.

The storage 170 may store programs for processing and control operationsof the controller 130, and store input/output data (e.g., applications,contents, time zone information of an external device, and a contactlist).

The storage 170 may include at least one type of storage medium amongflash memory, a hard disk, a multimedia card micro, card type memory(e.g., secure digital (SD) or extreme digital (XD) memory), randomaccess memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-onlymemory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM),programmable ROM (PROM), magnetic memory, a magnetic disc, and anoptical disc. Alternatively or additionally, the mobile device 100 b mayuse a web storage or a cloud server serving as the storage 170 on theInternet.

The programs stored in the storage 170 may be divided into a pluralityof modules, e.g., a user interface (UI) module 171, a touchscreen module172, and a notification module 173, depending on functions thereof.

The UI module 171 may provide a specialized UI or a graphic userinterface (GUI) associated with the mobile device 100 b per application.The touchscreen module 172 may detect a touch gesture of the user on thetouchscreen, and transmit information about the touch gesture to thecontroller 130. The touchscreen module 172 according to the currentembodiment may recognize and analyze touch code. The touchscreen module172 may be configured as independent hardware including a controller.

Various sensors may be provided in or near the touchscreen to detecttouches or proximity touches on the touchscreen. An example of thesensors for detecting touches on the touchscreen is a tactile sensor.The tactile sensor refers to a sensor capable of detectinghuman-sensible or greater strengths of touches of a certain object. Thetactile sensor may detect various types of information, e.g., roughnessof a contact surface, hardness of a contact object, and temperature of acontact point.

Another example of the sensors for detecting touches on the touchscreenis a proximity sensor.

The proximity sensor refers to a sensor capable of detecting thepresence of an object approaching or in proximity of a certain detectionsurface by using a force of an electromagnetic field or infrared lightwithout a mechanical contact. Examples of the proximity sensor include atransmissive photoelectric sensor, a direct-reflective photoelectricsensor, a mirror-reflective photoelectric sensor, an inductive proximitysensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, andan infrared proximity sensor. The touch gesture of the user may includetap, touch and hold, double tap, drag, pan, flick, drag and drop, swipe,etc.

The notification module 173 may generate a signal for notifying that anevent of the mobile device 100 b has occurred. Examples of the event ofthe mobile device 100 b include call signal reception, messagereception, key signal input, and schedule notification. The notificationmodule 173 may output the notification signal in the form of a videosignal via the display 150, in the form of an audio signal via the soundoutput unit 152, or in the form of a vibration signal via the vibrationmotor 153.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a stylus pen 200 a according to anembodiment. The stylus pen 200 a of FIG. 4 may be an embodiment of thestylus pen 200 of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 4, the stylus pen 200 a may include a sensing unit210, a communication unit 220, a controller 230, a user input unit 240,and a power supply unit 250.

The sensing unit 210 may detect whether the stylus pen 200 a isseparated from the mobile device 100, and transmit the detected signalto the controller 230. Specifically, similarly to the sensing unit 110of the mobile device 100, the sensing unit 210 of the stylus pen 200 amay detect whether the stylus pen 200 a is separated, by determiningwhether a battery of the stylus pen 200 a is being charged.

The sensing unit 210 may include a proximity sensor. The proximitysensor may detect whether the stylus pen 200 a is in proximity to themobile device 100. Based on whether the stylus pen 200 a and the mobiledevice 100 are in proximity to each other, short-range wirelesscommunication, e.g., Bluetooth communication, between the stylus pen 200a and the mobile device 100 may be turned on/off.

The communication unit 220 may transmit and receive signals to and fromone of the mobile devices 100 according to the previous embodiments.

The controller 230 controls overall operations of the stylus pen 200 a.The controller 230 may transmit a signal corresponding to manipulationof a certain key of the user input unit 240 or a signal corresponding tomotion of the stylus pen 200 a, which is detected by the sensing unit210, to the mobile device 100 via the communication unit 220.

The user input unit 240 refers to an element used when the user inputsdata to control the stylus pen 200 a. For example, the user input unit240 may include the button 201. For example, the user input unit 240 mayreceive an input of long-clicking, single-clicking, or double-clickingthe button 201.

The user input unit 240 may include a motion sensor capable of detectingmotion of a user. Herein, the motion sensor may include at least one ofa magnetic sensor, a position sensor, an acceleration sensor, agyroscope sensor, and a proximity sensor, but is not limited thereto.

The power supply unit 250 supplies electricity to the stylus pen 200 a.Specifically, the power supply unit 250 may supply electricity to thestylus pen 200 a by using a battery. While the stylus pen 200 a is beinginserted into the mobile device 100, the power supply unit 250 of thestylus pen 200 a is connected to the power supply circuit of the mobiledevice 100, and the battery may be charged by receiving electricity fromthe mobile device 100.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing an example in which a cameraapplication is remotely controlled using the stylus pen 200, accordingto an embodiment. Operations of the camera application controllableusing the stylus pen 200 include an image capturing operation, azoom-in/zoom-out operation, a flash lamp on/off operation, and acaptured image preview operation, but are not limited thereto.

An image capturing operation and a zoom-in operation will now bedescribed as examples with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B.

Referring to FIG. 5A, when the camera application is being executed, thesensing unit 210 of the stylus pen 200 may receive an input ofsingle-clicking the button 201. The communication unit 220 of the styluspen 200 may transmit a control signal corresponding to the receivedinput, to the communication unit 120 of the mobile device 100. Thecontroller 130 of the mobile device 100 may receive the control signalfrom the communication unit 120 of the mobile device 100, and perform azoom-in operation.

If the button 201 is repeatedly clicked, magnification of zoom-in may beincreased.

The touchscreen 101 of the mobile device 100 may display an icon 510indicating that the zoom-in operation is being performed. For example,the icon 510 may be displayed in the form of text and/or a bar asillustrated in FIG. 5A, but is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the sensing unit 210 of the stylus pen 200 mayreceive an input of double-clicking the button 201, and thecommunication unit 220 of the stylus pen 200 may transmit a controlsignal corresponding thereto, to the mobile device 100. The controller130 of the mobile device 100 may capture an image based on the controlsignal received from the stylus pen 200.

If the button 201 of the stylus pen 200 is double-clicked, thetouchscreen 101 may display an icon 520 indicating that an imagecapturing operation is being performed. For example, an icon indicatingan image capturing function may be highlighted as illustrated in FIG.5B, but is not limited thereto.

The controller 130 may change settings about operations of anapplication to be performed based on how the button 201 of the styluspen 200 is clicked. For example, the controller 130 may configuresettings to perform a zoom-in operation or a flash lamp on operation ofa camera application based on a user input of single-clicking the button201.

When a user directly touches the touchscreen 101 with a finger to take aselfie by using the mobile device 100, the distance between the mobiledevice 100 and the user should be small. Then, the user may not easilytake a photo with desired angle and composition. However, if a photo istaken by clicking the button 201 of the stylus pen 200 as describedabove in relation to FIG. 5B, the user may take a selfie with variousangles and compositions.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams showing an example in which an alarm clockapplication is remotely controlled using the stylus pen 200, accordingto an embodiment. Operations of the alarm clock application include anoperation of turning off a ringing alarm and an operation of setting anew alarm, but are not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 6A, when the alarm clock application is executed onthe mobile device 100 and an alarm rings, if the button 201 of thestylus pen 200 is single-clicked, the controller 130 may turn off theringing alarm. Herein, the touchscreen 101 may display an icon 620 forturning off the ringing alarm of the alarm clock application. Forexample, the touchscreen 101 may display the icon 620 in the form of aslidable icon as illustrated in FIG. 6A, but is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 6B, when the alarm clock application is being executedon the mobile device 100, if the button 201 of the stylus pen 200 isdouble-clicked, the controller 130 may set a new alarm.

An alarm clock application execution screen image may be configured as ascreen image including text and icons as illustrated in FIG. 6B, but isnot limited thereto.

When the alarm clock application is being executed, if the button 201 ofthe stylus pen 200 is double-clicked, the touchscreen 101 may display ascreen image 630 for setting a new alarm, as illustrated in FIG. 6B.

The screen image 630 illustrated in FIG. 6B includes time, days, aringtone, and an alarm type, but is not limited thereto.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing an example in which a video playerapplication is remotely controlled using the stylus pen 200, accordingto an embodiment. Operations of the video player application include aplay operation, a pause operation, and a fast forward operation, but arenot limited thereto. Videos to be played on the video player applicationmay include videos stored in the mobile device 100 or videos streamedvia a network, but are not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 7A, when a video is being played on the mobile device100, if the button 201 of the stylus pen 200 is single-clicked by auser, the controller 130 may pause the currently playing video. If thebutton 201 is single-clicked after the video is paused, the controller130 may resume playing the paused video.

Referring to FIG. 7B, when a video is being played on the mobile device100, if the button 201 of the stylus pen 200 is double-clicked by theuser, the controller 130 may pause the currently playing video and playa video subsequent to the currently playing video on a playlist.

The playlist may be sorted by file names or storage times of videosstored in the mobile device 100, but is not limited thereto. Theplaylist may include videos streamed on the Internet as well as thevideos stored in the mobile device 100.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, when the currently playing videohas a file name of “abc1.mp4”, a playlist 720 displayed on a right sideof the touchscreen 101 may be sorted by file names. Herein, if thebutton 201 is double-clicked by the user, the controller 130 may pausethe currently playing video “abc1.mp4” and play a video “abc2.mp4”subsequent to “abc1.mp4” on the playlist 720.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which a communication channelis generated between the mobile device 100 and the stylus pen 200 whenthe stylus pen 200 is separated from the mobile device 100, according toan embodiment.

If the stylus pen 200 is separated from the mobile device 100, acommunication channel may be generated between the mobile device 100 andthe stylus pen 200. Herein, the communication channel may beautomatically or manually generated.

A case in which the communication channel is automatically generatedwill now be described in detail.

If the sensing unit 110 detects that the stylus pen 200 is separatedfrom the mobile device 100, the sensing unit 110 may transmit a firststart signal to the controller 130, and the controller 130 may transmitthe first start signal to the communication unit 120. Herein, asdescribed above, the sensing unit 110 may detect whether the stylus pen200 is separated, by determining whether the stylus pen 200 is receivingelectricity from the mobile device 100.

The communication unit 120 having received the first start signal maystart, for example, Bluetooth communication from the mobile device 100to generate a communication channel between the mobile device 100 andthe stylus pen 200.

The sensing unit 210 and the communication unit 220 of the stylus pen200 may operate similarly to those of the mobile device 100.Specifically, the sensing unit 210 of the stylus pen 200 may detectwhether the stylus pen 200 is separated from the mobile device 100, andtransmit the detected signal to the controller 230 of the stylus pen200. Thereafter, the controller 230 of the stylus pen 200 may transmit asecond start signal to the communication unit 220 of the stylus pen 200.The communication unit 220 of the stylus pen 200 having received thesecond start signal may start, for example, Bluetooth communication togenerate a communication channel with the mobile device 100.

The mobile device 100 may receive a control signal from the stylus pen200 on the generated communication channel. Herein, the communicationchannel may be generated using various communication schemes, e.g.,Bluetooth communication and infrared communication, but is not limitedthereto.

For convenience, a case in which a communication channel is generatedbetween the mobile device 100 and the stylus pen 200 by using Bluetoothcommunication will now be described as an example.

Referring to FIG. 8, the sensing unit 110 may detect that the stylus pen200 is separated from the mobile device 100, and transmit the detectedsignal to the controller 130. Thereafter, the controller 130 maytransmit a first start signal to the communication unit 120. Thecommunication unit 120 having received the first start signal may startBluetooth communication of the mobile device 100.

The sensing unit 210 and the communication unit 220 of the stylus pen200 may also operate as described above. Specifically, the sensing unit210 may transmit a detected signal to the controller 230. Then, thecontroller 230 may transmit a second start signal to the communicationunit 220, and the communication unit 220 may start Bluetoothcommunication of the stylus pen 200. Then, a communication channel maybe generated between the mobile device 100 and the stylus pen 200 byusing Bluetooth communication. The mobile device 100 may receive acontrol signal from the stylus pen 200 on the generated communicationchannel.

When the mobile device 100 and the stylus pen 200 are interconnectedusing Bluetooth communication, the display 150 may highlight an icon 820indicating Bluetooth communication, and an icon 810 indicating a firstcontrol mode. A description thereof will be provided below withreference to FIG. 13.

Although settings are configured to automatically generate acommunication channel, the mobile device 100 and the stylus pen 200 maynot be interconnected using Bluetooth communication till a certainthreshold time. For example, when Bluetooth communication of the mobiledevice 100 or the stylus pen 200 does not normally operate, althoughBluetooth communication is turned on, a communication channel may not begenerated between the mobile device 100 and the stylus pen 200. In thiscase, Bluetooth communication of the mobile device 100 and the styluspen 200 may be automatically terminated. Herein, the threshold time maybe set to a fixed value or a value variable by a user.

While a communication channel is not generated, the mobile device 100may operate in a second control mode.

The controller 130 may configure settings to manually generate acommunication channel between the mobile device 100 and the stylus pen200. Operations of the mobile device 100 and the stylus pen 200 in acase when settings are configured to manually generate a communicationchannel will now be described in detail.

The stylus pen 200 may manually turn on/off Bluetooth communication ofthe stylus pen 200 by using the button 201. Specifically, the controller230 of the stylus pen 200 may transmit a communication control signalindicating to turn on/off Bluetooth communication, to the communicationunit 220. Then, the communication unit 220 having received thecommunication control signal may start or terminate Bluetoothcommunication of the stylus pen 200. Herein, the communication controlsignal differs from a control signal for controlling an application ofthe mobile device 100 (e.g., a first control signal or a second controlsignal). For example, settings may be configured to control anapplication of the mobile device 100 by single-clicking ordouble-clicking the button 201, and to turn on/off Bluetoothcommunication of the stylus pen 200 by long-clicking the button 201.

The mobile device 100 may manually turn on/off Bluetooth communicationby touching the touchscreen 101 with a finger or the stylus pen 200.This scheme is well-known to one of ordinary skill in the art, and thusa detailed description thereof is not provided herein.

The controller 130 may previously configure settings about whether toautomatically generate a communication channel between the mobile device100 and the stylus pen 200. For example, based on a user input, thecontroller 130 may configure settings to manually generate acommunication channel when the stylus pen 200 is separated from themobile device 100.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which the mobile device 100operates in a second control mode based on a user input, according to anembodiment. The second control mode differs from a first control modefor remotely controlling an application being executed on the mobiledevice 100, based on a user selection of clicking the button 201 of thestylus pen 200.

Specifically, a case in which a camera application is executed while thestylus pen 200 is being separated from the mobile device 100 isdescribed as an example. Herein, the mobile device 100 may operate inthe first control mode by default, or operate in the second control modebased on user selection.

Referring to FIG. 9, when a camera application is executed while thestylus pen 200 is being separated from the mobile device 100, thedisplay 150 may display a pop-up window 910 for asking whether tooperate in the first control mode. The pop-up window 910 may include acheck box 911 for determining whether to display the pop-up window 910again later. If the check box 911 is checked, although the cameraapplication is executed later while the stylus pen 200 is beingseparated from the mobile device 100, the display 150 does not displaythe pop-up window 910 again.

When a user selects the first control mode, the mobile device 100 mayoperate in the first control mode. Otherwise, the mobile device 100 mayoperate in the second control mode.

FIG. 9 shows an example in which the user does not select the firstcontrol mode. Accordingly, the mobile device 100 may operate in thesecond control mode, and the mobile device 100 may perform an operationof the camera application based on a user input of touching thetouchscreen 101 with a finger or the stylus pen 200. For example, whenthe finger of the user touches an icon 920 indicating an image capturingoperation, which is displayed on the touchscreen 101, as illustrated inFIG. 9, the mobile device 100 may perform the image capturing operation.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams for describing a second control mode.

Referring to FIG. 10A, the second control mode may use pop-up shortcutmenus 1010 displayed on the touchscreen 101 of the mobile device 100.The pop-up shortcut menus 1010 may include menus related to use of thestylus pen 200. For example, the pop-up shortcut menus 1010 may includea memo application menu 1011, a camera application menu 1012, an alarmclock application menu 1013, and a video player application menu 1014,but are not limited thereto. A user may enable a desired operation bytouching a specific one of the pop-up shortcut menus 1010 with thestylus pen 200.

The pop-up shortcut menus 1010 may be displayed in various forms. Forexample, the pop-up shortcut menus 1010 are displayed in fan shapes asillustrated in FIG. 10A, but are not limited thereto. The pop-upshortcut menus 1010 may be displayed in rectangle shapes or circleshapes, or in the form of a text menu list.

Referring to FIG. 10B, when the mobile device 100 operates in the secondcontrol mode, the mobile device 100 may control an application beingexecuted on the mobile device 100, based on an input of touching thetouchscreen 101 with a finger of the user or the stylus pen 200. Forexample, the mobile device 100 may pause a currently playing video basedon a user input of touching a “pause” icon 1020 on the touchscreen 101with a finger as illustrated in FIG. 10B. This scheme is well-known toone of ordinary skill in the art, and thus a detailed descriptionthereof is not provided herein.

When the mobile device 100 operates in the second control mode, thesensing unit 110 may periodically monitor whether the stylus pen 200 isseparated from the mobile device 100, in a cycle. Herein, the controller130 may set the cycle to a fixed value or a value variable by the user.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example in which the controller 130changes an operation mode from a first control mode to a second controlmode when the stylus pen 200 is in proximity to the mobile device 100,according to an embodiment.

If the stylus pen 200 is in proximity to the mobile device 100 when themobile device 100 operates in the first control mode, the controller 130may change the operation mode from the first control mode to the secondcontrol mode.

Referring to FIG. 11, the sensing unit 110 may detect whether the styluspen 200 is in proximity to the mobile device 100. If the distancebetween the stylus pen 200 and the mobile device 100 is equal to or lessthan a certain distance, the mobile device 100 may terminate the firstcontrol mode and operate in the second control mode. Herein, the sensingunit 110 may determine whether the stylus pen 200 is in proximity to themobile device 100, by using a proximity sensor.

If the sensing unit 110 detects that the stylus pen 200 is in proximityto the mobile device 100, the sensing unit 110 may transmit the detectedsignal to the controller 130. Then, the controller 130 may transmit anotification signal to the communication unit 120. The communicationunit 120 having received the notification signal may terminate Bluetoothcommunication of the mobile device 100.

The sensing unit 210 and the communication unit 220 of the stylus pen200 may operate similarly to those of the mobile device 100. If thesensing unit 210 of the stylus pen 200 detects that the stylus pen 200is in proximity to the mobile device 100, the sensing unit 210 of thestylus pen 200 may transmit the detected signal to the controller 230 ofthe stylus pen 200. Then, the controller 230 of the stylus pen 200 maytransmit a notification signal to the communication unit 220 of thestylus pen 200. The communication unit 220 of the stylus pen 200 havingreceived the notification signal may terminate Bluetooth communicationof the stylus pen 200.

If the first control mode is terminated, the display 150 may display apop-up window 1110 indicating that the first control mode is terminated,as illustrated in FIG. 11.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example in which the controller 130changes an operation mode of the mobile device 100 from a first controlmode to a second control mode when the stylus pen 200 is inserted intothe slot 102, according to an embodiment.

A case in which the stylus pen 200 is inserted into the mobile device100 when the mobile device 100 operates in the first control mode willnow be described as an example with reference to FIG. 12.

The sensing unit 110 may detect that the stylus pen 200 is inserted intothe slot 102, and transmit the detected signal to the controller 130.Then, the controller 130 may transmit a first termination signal to thecommunication unit 120. The communication unit 120 having received thefirst termination signal may terminate Bluetooth communication of themobile device 100.

The stylus pen 200 may operate similarly to the mobile device 100.Specifically, the sensing unit 210 of the stylus pen 200 may detect thatthe stylus pen 200 is inserted into the slot 102, and transmit thedetected signal to the controller 230 of the stylus pen 200. Then, thecontroller 230 of the stylus pen 200 may transmit a second terminationsignal to the communication unit 220 of the stylus pen 200. Thecommunication unit 220 of the stylus pen 200 having received the secondtermination signal may terminate Bluetooth communication of the styluspen 200.

When Bluetooth communication between the mobile device 100 and thestylus pen 200 is terminated, a communication channel generated betweenthe mobile device 100 and the stylus pen 200 may be terminated, and themobile device 100 may operate in the second control mode.

When the operation mode is changed from the first control mode to thesecond control mode, the display 150 may display a pop-up window 1210indicating that the first control mode is terminated, as illustrated inFIG. 12. Herein, a scheme of indicating that the first control mode isterminated may be performed by providing a banner at a top side of thedisplay 150 or flickering a light-emitting diode (LED) provided on themobile device 100, but is not limited thereto.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example in which the display150 displays an icon 1310 indicating a first control mode, according toan embodiment.

When the mobile device 100 operates in the first control mode, thedisplay 150 may display the icon 1310 indicating the first control mode.

For example, referring to FIG. 13A, the icon 1310 of a stylus pen shapemay be highlighted to indicate that the mobile device 100 is operatingin the first control mode.

When the mobile device 100 operates in a second control mode, thedisplay 150 may inactivate the icon 1310 of the stylus pen shape. Forexample, the display 150 may inactivate the icon 1310 by darkening theicon 1310.

Although the icon 1310 of the stylus pen shape indicates the firstcontrol mode in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the icon 1310 may be displayed as atext icon or another type of icon, but is not limited thereto.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example in which the mobile device 100operates in a first control mode, according to an embodiment.

For example, after an application is executed while the stylus pen 200is being inserted into the slot 102, the first control mode may beselected.

Referring to FIG. 14, when a camera application is executed on themobile device 100, the display 150 may display a pop-up window 1410 forasking whether to use the first control mode. As illustrated in FIG. 14,after a user selects “Yes” to select the first control mode, if thestylus pen 200 is separated from the mobile device 100, the sensing unit110 may transmit a detected signal to the controller 130. Then, thecontroller 130 may transmit a first start signal to the communicationunit 120. The communication unit 120 having received the first startsignal may start Bluetooth communication of the mobile device 100 asdescribed above.

The stylus pen 200 may operate similarly to the mobile device 100.Specifically, if the stylus pen 200 is separated from the mobile device100, the sensing unit 210 of the stylus pen 200 may transmit a detectedsignal to the controller 230 of the stylus pen 200. Then, the controller230 of the stylus pen 200 may transmit a second start signal to thecommunication unit 220 of the stylus pen 200. The communication unit 220of the stylus pen 200 having received the second start signal may startBluetooth communication of the stylus pen 200.

When Bluetooth communication of the mobile device 100 and the stylus pen200 is started, a communication channel may be generated between themobile device 100 and the stylus pen 200. The mobile device 100 mayreceive a control signal from the stylus pen 200 on the generatedcommunication channel.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example in which an application beingexecuted on the mobile device 100 is terminated and a first control modeis terminated, according to an embodiment.

If an application being executed on the mobile device 100 is terminatedwhen the mobile device 100 is operating in the first control mode, thecontroller 130 may terminate the first control mode and operate in asecond control mode.

Referring to FIG. 15, if a camera application is executed on the mobiledevice 100 in the first control mode and then is terminated, thecontroller 130 may automatically terminate the first control mode. Whenthe camera application is terminated, the controller 130 may transmit afirst termination signal to the communication unit 120, and thecommunication unit 120 having received the first termination signal mayterminate a communication channel between the mobile device 100 and thestylus pen 200. When the first control mode is terminated, the display150 may display a pop-up window indicating that the first control modeis terminated, as described above. The display 150 may inactivate anicon indicating the first control mode.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a method of operating the mobile device 100,according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 16, the mobile device 100 may determine whether thestylus pen 200 is separated from the mobile device 100 (S1600).

The mobile device 100 may receive a control signal from the stylus pen200 separated from the mobile device 100 (S1610).

Herein, the control signal may be a signal capable of remotelycontrolling an application being executed on the mobile device 100.Specifically, the control signal may include a first control signal anda second control signal, which may be divided based on various schemesof clicking the button 201 of the stylus pen 200. For example, the firstcontrol signal may be a signal corresponding to an operation ofsingle-clicking the button 201 of the stylus pen 200 by a user, and thesecond control signal may be a signal corresponding to an operation ofdouble-clicking the button 201 of the stylus pen 200 by the user.

The mobile device 100 may perform at least one operation of theapplication being executed on the mobile device 100, in response to thecontrol signal received from the stylus pen 200 (S1620).

For example, when a camera application is being executed on the mobiledevice 100, if the button 201 of the stylus pen 200 is single-clicked,the mobile device 100 may perform a zoom-in operation. If the button 201is double-clicked, the mobile device 100 may capture an image.

When an alarm clock application is being executed on the mobile device100, if the button 201 is single-clicked, the mobile device 100 may turnoff a ringing alarm. If the button 201 is double-clicked, the mobiledevice 100 may set a new alarm.

When a video player application is being executed on the mobile device100, if the button 201 is single-clicked, the mobile device 100 maypause a currently playing video. If the button 201 is double-clicked,the mobile device 100 may play a video subsequent to the currentlyplaying video on a playlist.

Applications controlled based on user inputs of clicking the button 201of the stylus pen 200 include the camera application, the alarm clockapplication, and the video player application, but are not limitedthereto.

If the stylus pen 200 is separated from the mobile device 100, acommunication channel may be generated between the mobile device 100 andthe stylus pen 200.

The mobile device 100 may operate in a second control mode forperforming at least one operation of an application, based on an inputof touching the touchscreen 101 with a finger of the user or the styluspen 200.

If the stylus pen 200 is inserted into the slot 102 when the mobiledevice 100 operates in a first control mode, the communication channelgenerated between the mobile device 100 and the stylus pen 200 may beautomatically terminated. The mobile device 100 may operate in thesecond control mode.

If an application being executed on the mobile device 100 is terminatedwhen the mobile device 100 operates in the first control mode, themobile device 100 may operate in the second control mode.

When the mobile device 100 operates in the first control mode, themobile device 100 may display an icon indicating the first control mode.

As described above, in the mobile device 100 and the method of operatingthe mobile device 100, according to the afore-described embodiments,operation of an application being executed on the mobile device 100 maybe controlled based on a user input of clicking the button 201 of thestylus pen 200. As such, user convenience may be increased when a useruses the mobile device 100.

The above-described method of operating the mobile device 100 can beimplemented in the form of program instructions that can be executedthrough various computer components and recorded on a computer-readablerecording medium. The computer-readable recording medium may includeprogram instructions, data files, data structures, or a combinationthereof. The program instructions recorded on the computer-readablerecording medium may be program instructions specially designed andconfigured for the present invention or program instructions known toand usable by one of ordinary skill in the art of computer software.Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include magneticmedia (e.g., a hard disk, a floppy disk, and a magnetic tape), opticalrecording media (e.g., a CD-ROM and a DVD), magneto-optical media (e.g.,a floptical disk), and hardware devices specially configured to storeand execute program instructions (e.g., a ROM, a RAM, and a flashmemory). Examples of the program instructions include machine codegenerated by a compiler and high-level language code that can beexecuted by a computer using an interpreter or the like.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by one ofordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details maybe made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A mobile device comprising a stylus pen andfurther comprising: a controller configured to: perform an application,operate in a first control mode for controlling the application beingperformed on the mobile device based on a touch input received through atouchscreen of the mobile device, and switch from the first control modeto a second control mode for controlling remotely the application beingperformed on the mobile device and establish a communication connectionbetween the mobile device and the stylus pen, when the stylus pen isseparated from the mobile device and is not within a certain distance orless from the touchscreen included in the mobile device; and acommunication unit configured to: receive a first control signal fromthe stylus pen over the communication connection, wherein the firstcontrol signal is sent from the stylus pen based on a first input beingreceived in a user interface included in the stylus pen, and receive asecond control signal from the stylus pen over the communicationconnection, wherein the second control signal is sent from the styluspen based on a second input being received in the user interfaceincluded in the stylus pen, wherein the controller is further configuredto, in the second control mode, perform a first operation of theapplication based on the first control signal, and perform a secondoperation of the application based on the second control signal.
 2. Themobile device of claim 1, wherein the application is a cameraapplication having an image capturing function, wherein the firstoperation is a zoom-in operation of the camera application, and whereinthe second operation is an image capturing operation.
 3. The mobiledevice of claim 1, wherein the application is a camera applicationhaving an image capturing function, and wherein the first operation orthe second operation comprises at least one from among an imagecapturing operation, a zoom-in operation, a zoom-out operation, a flashlamp on operation, a flash lamp off operation, and a captured imagepreview operation.
 4. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein theapplication is a camera application having an image capturing function,wherein the first input corresponds to an input of single-clicking abutton included in the user interface included in the stylus pen,wherein the second input corresponds to an input of double-clicking thebutton, and wherein the controller is further configured to: based onthe input of single-clicking the button that is provided by a user,perform a zoom-in operation of the camera application, as the firstoperation, and based on the input of double-clicking the button that isprovided by the user subsequent to the input of single-clicking thebutton, perform an image capturing operation of the camera application,as the second operation.
 5. The mobile device of claim 4, wherein, inthe performing the zoom-in operation, the controller is furtherconfigured to, based on an input of repeatedly clicking the button thatis provided by the user, increase magnification of a zoom-in.
 6. Themobile device of claim 1, wherein the application is an alarm clockapplication having an alarm clock function, wherein the first operationis an operation of turning off a ringing alarm, and wherein the secondoperation is an operation of setting a new alarm.
 7. The mobile deviceof claim 6, wherein the first input corresponds to an input ofsingle-clicking a button included in the stylus pen, wherein the secondinput corresponds to an input of double-clicking the button, and whereinthe controller is further configured to: based on the input ofsingle-clicking the button being provided by a user, perform theoperation of turning off the ringing alarm, and based on the input ofdouble-clicking the button that is provided by the user subsequent tothe input of single-clicking the button, perform the operation ofsetting the new alarm.
 8. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein theapplication has a video player function, wherein the first operation isan operation of pausing a currently playing video, and wherein thesecond operation is an operation of playing a video subsequent to thecurrently playing video on a playlist.
 9. The mobile device of claim 8,wherein the first input corresponds to an input of single-clicking abutton included in the user interface included in the stylus pen,wherein the second input corresponds to an input of double-clicking thebutton, and wherein the controller is further configured to: based onthe input of single-clicking the button that is provided by a user,perform the operation of pausing the currently playing video, and basedon the input of double-clicking the button that is provided by the usersubsequent to the input of single-clicking the button, perform theoperation of playing the video subsequent to the currently playing videoon the playlist.
 10. The mobile device of claim 1, further comprising auser input unit configured to receive a user selection input ofselecting the first control mode, and wherein, in the first controlmode, the stylus pen is used for controlling at least one from among thefirst operation and the second operation of the application by providinga touch input on the touchscreen of the mobile device.
 11. The mobiledevice of claim 1, further comprising a sensing unit configured to,while the controller operates in the second control mode, detect thatthe stylus pen approached the mobile device, based on the stylus penbeing separated from the mobile device by the certain distance or less,wherein, based on the sensing unit detecting that the stylus penapproached the mobile device, the controller is further configured toswitch from the second control mode to the first control mode, andwherein, in the first control mode, the stylus pen is used forcontrolling at least one from among the first operation and the secondoperation of the application by providing a touch input on thetouchscreen of the mobile device.
 12. The mobile device of claim 1,wherein the controller is further configured to switch from the secondcontrol mode to the first control mode based on an execution of theapplication being terminated, and wherein, in the first control mode,the stylus pen is used for providing a touch input on the touchscreen ofthe mobile device.
 13. The mobile device of claim 1, further comprisinga sensing unit configured to detect whether the stylus pen is separatedfrom the mobile device or whether the stylus pen is inserted into themobile device, wherein the controller is further configured to terminatethe communication connection established between the mobile device andthe stylus pen and switch from the second control mode to the firstcontrol mode based on the stylus pen being inserted into the mobiledevice, and control at least one from among the first operation and thesecond operation of the application based on a touch input provided onthe touchscreen of the mobile device.
 14. The mobile device of claim 1,further comprising a display configured to display an icon indicatingthat the controller is operating in the second control mode.
 15. Amethod of operating a mobile device comprising a stylus pen, the methodcomprising: performing an application; operating in a first control modefor controlling the application being performed on the mobile devicebased on a touch input received through a touchscreen of the mobiledevice; switching from the first control mode to a second control modefor controlling remotely the application being performed on the mobiledevice, and establishing a communication connection between the mobiledevice and the stylus pen separated from the mobile device, when thestylus pen is separated from the mobile device and is not within acertain distance or less from the touchscreen included in the mobiledevice; receiving a first control signal from the stylus pen over thecommunication connection, wherein the first control signal is sent fromthe stylus pen based on a first input being received in a user interfaceincluded in the stylus pen; receiving a second control signal from thestylus pen over the communication connection, wherein the second controlsignal is sent from the stylus pen based on a second input beingreceived in the user interface included in the stylus pen; and operatingin the second control mode, wherein the operating in the second controlmode comprises: performing a first operation of the application based onthe first control signal, and performing a second operation of theapplication based on the second control signal.
 16. The method of claim15, wherein the application is a camera application having an imagecapturing function, wherein the first operation is a zoom-in operationof the camera application, and wherein the second operation is an imagecapturing operation.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the applicationis an alarm clock application having an alarm clock function, whereinthe first operation is an operation of turning off a ringing alarm, andwherein the second operation is an operation of setting a new alarm. 18.The method of claim 15, wherein the application has a video playerfunction, wherein the first operation is an operation of pausing acurrently playing video, and wherein the second operation is anoperation of playing a video subsequent to the currently playing videoon a playlist.